GREATER ORLANDO SPORTS COMMISSION ANNOUNCES FINALISTS FOR AWARDS AT THE 2023 CELEBRATING WOMEN IN SPORTS LUNCHEON PRESENTED BY ORLANDO HEALTH JEWETT ORTHOPEDIC INSTITUTE

Joan Benoit Samuelson, pioneer of women’s marathon running and Olympic Gold Medalist, will speak at luncheon that honors local women for their distinguished service within the Greater Orlando sports community

ORLANDO, Fla. (August 8, 2023) – The Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports) has announced the list of finalists for the prestigious Central Florida women in sports awards that will be presented during the 2023 Celebrating Women in Sports luncheon presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute. The 5th annual luncheon will be hosted at UCF’s Addition Financial Arena on Wednesday, September 13 at Noon.

“Congratulations to all of the finalists announced today,” said Sharon Line Clary, Vice President of Strategic Marketing & Communications at AdventHealth and Chair of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission Board of Directors. “These awards recognize women for their passion, leadership and dedication to Greater Orlando’s sports community, and we look forward to celebrating the winners on September 13.”

“We’re excited to host this event every year and continue to shine a spotlight on the extraordinary women in our sports community,” said Jason Siegel, President & CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission. “Thank you to Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute for their ongoing support as our presenting sponsor and thank you to Florida Blue for sponsoring the fireside chat with featured speaker and legendary women’s marathoner, Joan Benoit Samuelson.”

GO Sports will recognize winners in two categories at the event: three recipients will receive the Women in Sports Leadership Award, while one person will receive the Rising Star Award. A panel made up of members of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission board of directors will vote to select the winners, and winners will be announced in the near future, prior to the luncheon.

In addition to the Women in Sports Leadership Award and the Rising Star Award, the Greater Orlando chapter of WISE (Women in Sports & Events) will honor one recipient with the WISE Women of Inspiration Award. WISE Greater Orlando will determine the finalists and winner for this award, and the winner will also be announced in advance of the luncheon.

The Women in Sports Leadership Award recognizes leaders who have helped make the sports industry in Greater Orlando the success it is today. It is an honor reserved for those who have given their time, energy and passion to improving the industry and taking it in new directions. The finalists are:

The Rising Star Award recognizes a young female professional in the sports industry who has demonstrated strong leadership, initiative, and exceptional contributions early in their career. The award is intended to support and encourage the next generation of female sports industry leaders who will take sport to new heights. The finalists are:

Registration and networking will begin at 11:30am and the luncheon will begin promptly at Noon. Table Sponsorships are $2,000. To purchase a table for the event or to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, contact Michael Kalinich at Michael@greaterorlandosports.com. Individual tickets are $100 and may be purchased at GreaterOrlandoSports.com/Celebrating-Women-in-Sports.

ABOUT THE GREATER ORLANDO SPORTS COMMISSION

GO Sports is a private, non-profit organization established to attract and manage sports-related events, conferences and activities that drive positive economic development in the City of Orlando, Lake County, Orange County, Osceola County, and Seminole County. Founded in 1992-93, the organization has hosted or co-hosted more than 1,550 events in the Greater Orlando area with a total economic impact exceeding $2.1 billion in spending within the community. For more information, please visit GreaterOrlandoSports.com.